Road Cycling Essentials

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15% is hard no matter the gearing. A 30t is enough. Yes, you could go to a 32t, but it wouldn't make things appreciably easier.

I've climbed everything I've climbed on a 28t, and that includes a few 25% stretches :eek:
 
Roady said:
Ouch! Take it easy for a few days man, you'll heal! Get the bike looked at if you can't sort it yourself, by the mechanism I assume you mean the shifter and not the rear derailleur/pulley? :(
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When i finished the last mile i experimented to see what gears i could get. I'm assuming that its the shifter but I'll take a look at that in the next day or two. Added to the list of damage though I've bruised my left thumb (presuming the jerk of the bars did this) and burst a water bottle. Nothing too major yet. Hope the bike is ok but there is a local shop which should be able to fix it if i cant.
 
Ok, bike builders. I've got all the bits for my single speed build, apart from the brake levers which are due in the next few days. What's the deal with fork cutting/sizing? As near as I can tell the fork has 30cm of steerer, the frame has a head tube of just over 10cm and the headset has a stack height of about 3cm. So do I assemble it with the uncut steerer and then ride up and down the street with 17cm of head impaling steerer poking out of the top until I'm happy with the fit and then disassemble it again and cut it when I'm sure I've got it right?
 
Vonhelmet said:
Ok, bike builders. I've got all the bits for my single speed build, apart from the brake levers which are due in the next few days. What's the deal with fork cutting/sizing? As near as I can tell the fork has 30cm of steerer, the frame has a head tube of just over 10cm and the headset has a stack height of about 3cm. So do I assemble it with the uncut steerer and then ride up and down the street with 17cm of head impaling steerer poking out of the top until I'm happy with the fit and then disassemble it again and cut it when I'm sure I've got it right?
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Yes. Assemble, set it to the height you want, ride it for a bit to make sure it's right.
Dont cut it flush with the top of the stem, you need 2-3mm so that the top cap gets pressed against the stem and doesnt touch the steerer.
 
touch said:
Yes. Assemble, set it to the height you want, ride it for a bit to make sure it's right.
Dont cut it flush with the top of the stem, you need 2-3mm so that the top cap gets pressed against the stem and doesnt touch the steerer.
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I always leave an extra 10mm or so of spacers in for the first week or two. You can't saw it back on ;)
 
Vonhelmet said:
15% is hard no matter the gearing. A 30t is enough. Yes, you could go to a 32t, but it wouldn't make things appreciably easier.

I've climbed everything I've climbed on a 28t, and that includes a few 25% stretches :eek:
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Yeah but you're a machine, almost as bad as those blokes from down south, or the Tart, with their miles and average speeds! ;)

I guess now I'm getting more and more serious about conquering these hills/rides I really shouldn't go changing my bike and setup. At the end of the day I've got a good bike for it (light & range of gears) it's just the rider which is holding it back! ;)

FrenchTart said:
You can get 25mm versions of all the P4 range of tyres, aside from the SC Grip. Moving to 25mm is definitely worthwhile but it won't improve your grip on mud or leaves (or ice, or snow) - if you want grip on those you'll need to move to much thicker tyres with deep treads (or metal spikes for ice). Obviously not an ideal thing to do with a road bike :)

I'm not saying to not get the 4 Seasons. They're good tyres. Just make sure you're getting them for the right (4)reasons.

edit: An 11-28 cassette would've made the climb harder. More teeth on your back cog = 'easier' gearing. Opposite to your front cogs.
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I had a dimebar moment about cassettes too don't worry lol

Good point about the 4S, I guess I'm just looking for an alternative to the P4SC & Grip (ie a 25mm version) as they're never in stock/listed on Wiggle... Than again the 4S are currently out of stock too lol :rolleyes:
 
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New saddle and bars. :)
 
Roady said:
Yeah but you're a machine, almost as bad as those blokes from down south, or the Tart, with their miles and average speeds! ;)

I guess now I'm getting more and more serious about conquering these hills/rides I really shouldn't go changing my bike and setup. At the end of the day I've got a good bike for it (light & range of gears) it's just the rider which is holding it back! ;)

I had a dimebar moment about cassettes too don't worry lol

Good point about the 4S, I guess I'm just looking for an alternative to the P4SC & Grip (ie a 25mm version) as they're never in stock/listed on Wiggle... Than again the 4S are currently out of stock too lol :rolleyes:
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Tom's ride is pretty damn impressive when you factor in the gradual uphill and the having to start/stop a lot at the beginning and end :eek: *requests to follow* :p

CRC often have the various P4 options in stock when Wiggle don't. I prefer to use Wiggle where I can but I do find that it's rare that Wiggle is cheaper, even factoring in the platinum discount malarky.

One More Solo said:
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New saddle and bars. :)
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That looks way too manly for a fellow Mancunian :p

That's not the same bike you took up Swiss Hill, right? :eek:
 
I haven't been able to cycle in over three weeks. It's really bothering me now, I feel so lumpen and unhealthy. Not being able to run really hasn't helped matters. I am tempted to get a new bike once I have recovered...
 
Saundie said:
I haven't been able to cycle in over three weeks. It's really bothering me now, I feel so lumpen and unhealthy. Not being able to run really hasn't helped matters. I am tempted to get a new bike once I have recovered...
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To a lesser extent I know the feeling. I was meant to break from things for a few weeks but to be honest even a single week drove me absolutely crazy so I've just gone back out there. If you're unable to do that then you have my sympathies :(

What's your new bike plan? I always enjoy window shopping :)
 
Thanks Shamrock and Von - I try my best. :p I like to think I'm doing everyone a favour by not inflicting another black Dolan on the velodrome!

FrenchTart said:
That looks way too manly for a fellow Mancunian :p

That's not the same bike you took up Swiss Hill, right? :eek:
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Haha, it's not, no. This has a 48x14 gear now so isn't climbing anything!
 
One More Solo said:
Thanks Shamrock and Von - I try my best. :p I like to think I'm doing everyone a favour by not inflicting another black Dolan on the velodrome!
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I'm planning on paying a visit to Herne Hill once the beginner inductions start in March.

If I end up liking it enough I see a Cinelli Mash in my future!
 
Terrible photo alert. Picked up the Pinnacle today, lovely looking bike, colour is different from pictures, more pale than I thought it would be, but I like it. The hoods are much bigger with the reservoirs in them! Not riding it or adjusted anything yet, as got it home, dropped it off, and been out all day! Got my bargain shoes too, shall take some proper pictures of it all when I get it all sorted tomorrow evening.

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